LauncherASM

Welcome to LauncherASM

This help window is being displayed because this LauncherASM installation has started for the first time. Please note that the only indication that LauncherASM is running is the small rocket icon in the system tray (opposite end of the taskbar from the start button).

If you are a new user, we strongly advise quickly running through the "Setting up a new category" tutorial. This should only take a couple of minutes. To run this tutorial, please click here.


Setting up a new category

This tutorial takes you through creating a LauncherASM category called Apps that will give you quick and easy access to your most commonly used applications.

To move through the tutorial, use the links at the bottom of the pages

Next


Creating the category

These steps create a category called Apps

1. Click the "Rocket" icon in the system tray (opposite end of the taskbar from the Start button)

2. Double click in the left hand pane of the LauncherASM window that appears

3. A set of buttons replaces the right pane

4. Click Add

5. In the Category box, type Apps, and click OK

6. A category named Apps appears in the left pane

7. Click Hide Buttons to hide the buttons

8. Double click in the right hand pane of the LauncherASM window

You should now have a window showing the folder connected to the Apps LauncherASM category.

First Next


Copying entries from your start menu

This step will only work on Windows® 98 and later. If you are using Windows® 95, please click here.

The menu that appears when the start button is clicked is managed in a similar way to LauncherASM. These steps take you through copying entries in the start menu to your Apps category.

1. Move and resize the Apps folder window so that you can still see it when your start menu is open.

2. Click on the Start button

3. While holding down the Ctrl key, drag an entry representing one of your commonly used applications from the start menu to the Apps folder window. You may need to click Programs or All Programs in the start menu and drill down through sub-menus to find your applications

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have copied entries for a number of your most commonly used applications, then close the Apps folder window

Previous Next


Copying entries from your start menu

The menu that appears when the start button is clicked is managed in a similar way to LauncherASM. These steps take you through copying entries in the start menu to your Apps category.

1. Click the Start button

2. Choose Settings|Taskbar from the start menu

3. Click the Start Menu Programs tab

4. Click Advanced, then close the dialog by clicking OK

5. You should now have a Windows® Explorer window showing the shortcuts that make up your start menu and one showing the Apps LauncherASM category. Move and resize these windows so you can see them both at once

6. In the start menu window, navigate to the application's shortcut that you wish to copy. Whilst holding down Ctrl, drag the shortcut to the Apps window.

7. Repeat step 6 for a number of your most commonly used applications, then close both windows

Previous Next


Launching applications

To launch an application:

1. Click the "Rocket" icon in the system tray

2. If the Apps category is not the first category, click Apps in the left hand pane

3. Click the application in the right hand pane

Previous Next


Making it even easier

The LauncherASM dialog is moveable, sizeable and sticky (i.e. it stays where its put). To minimise mouse movement place the dialog near the LauncherASM icon and size it to show all the items in the first category without scrolling.

LauncherASM supports a full keyboard interface which greatly speeds up access, particularly on laptops. For details, please click here

This tutorial only scratches the surface of LauncherASM. For more information on configuring LauncherASM to match the way you work, click Help|Contents on the dialog's menu bar.

Previous Finish


Setting up a "desktop" category

This tutorial takes you through creating a LauncherASM category called Desktop that will give you access to objects on your desktop without minimising any windows.

To move through the tutorial, use the links at the bottom of the pages

Next


Creating the category

These steps create a category called Desktop

1. Click the "Rocket" icon in the system tray (opposite end of the taskbar from the Start button)

2. Double click in the left hand pane of the LauncherASM window that appears

3. A set of buttons replaces the right pane

4. Click Add

5. In the Category box, type Desktop

6. Click the radio button next to the greyed out edit box in the path box

7. Click the Browse button

8. Select "Desktop" at the top of the list that opens, and click OK

9. Click OK then close the LauncherASM dialog

First Next


Accessing desktop objects

To access a desktop object at any time, simply click the "Rocket" item in the system tray, select the Desktop category and click on the object. Note that certain objects that appear on the desktop are controlled by Windows® and are not files. These quasi-objects do not appear in the "Desktop" entry list.

Previous Finish


Overview

What is LauncherASM?

LauncherASM is an evolution and expansion of the "Program Manager" task launcher concept featuring "Start Menu" like accessibility. It allows users to organise their computing tasks into a highly configurable structure of groups and hierarchies and then makes this structure continuously available in a completely unobtrusive manner. Whether you want to start an application, edit a document or visit a web page, LauncherASM will make getting your task up and running quicker and easier.

Why do you need LauncherASM?

I wrote LauncherASM because I was frustrated with the standard methods of launching tasks under Windows®. I had a desktop covered in shortcuts that I couldn't get at, a recent documents menu crowded with irrelevancies and a start menu that needed regular pruning to avoid getting two columns long. I wanted a software solution to this problem, but I wanted it to have virtually no impact on system resources, use up virtually no screen real-estate, and cost virtually nothing. Failing to find this, I wrote it myself.

LauncherASM is a 24kb stand-alone executable (it does not require any DLLs to be installed), achieved by writing 100% of the code in assembly language. The only screen real-estate used is an icon in the system tray and the cost is a mere £5.00 (see Buying LauncherASM for equivalent price in other major currencies).

It is highly flexible, allowing users to set up unique configurations that match the way they work precisely. It is also extremely simple to use, especially once configured. In fact, it was found during testing that installing and configuring LauncherASM for novice users greatly simplified operation of a computer for them.

Of course, the only way that you can determine whether LauncherASM is right for you is to try it. Therefore, LauncherASM is released as shareware (see licence agreement ). There is no copy protection and no locked functionality, since there is little point writing in assembly language if you then double the executable size with a chunk of code that won't be used 99% of the time. I am relying on the honesty of the user and the fact that £5 is really not a great deal of money. If you find yourself reaching for the LauncherASM icon more than the start button, please head over to www.launcherasm.com and make your contribution to future development.


Compatibility

LauncherASM is compatible with Windows® 95/98/98SE/ME and Windows® NT 4.0 and later (including Windows® 2000 and Windows® XP). It is possible that very early versions of Windows® 95 will need Internet Explorer 4.0 or later to be installed. The installer program will detect if this is the case, but I've yet to find a working system that requires it.

LauncherASM is very non-invasive. It doesn't write to the system registry and only creates files in its own directory. This means that on systems with secure file systems, LauncherASM must have write access to this directory. Multiple users are best handled through multiple installations in user work areas.

To maintain compatibility across Windows® platforms, LauncherASM uses the ANSI versions of Windows® API functions. This leads to some overhead on platforms based on the NT kernel. A version based on the UNICODE versions of these functions will be developed if sufficient funding is available.

Finally LauncherASM does not make full use of the new "eye candy" features of Windows® XP as this would make it incompatible with previous versions of Windows®. Again, if funding and time are available, a Windows® XP version will be forthcoming.


Licence Agreement

LauncherASM End User Licence Agreement

Use of LauncherASM (hereinafter 'SOFTWARE') is contingent on your agreement to the following terms:

1. Grant of licence

Hurst Software Partnership grants you a limited non-exclusive licence to use the SOFTWARE free of charge for up to thirty (30) days for the purpose of evaluation. If you wish to continue using the software after this time, please purchase a full licence at a cost of £5.00 (five British pounds) (see Buying LauncherASM).

2. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS IS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, Hurst Software Partnership FURTHER DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. THE ENTIRE RISK ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT AND DOCUMENTATION REMAINS WITH RECIPIENT. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL Hurst Software Partnership BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT, EVEN IF Hurst Software Partnership HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

3. Scope of grant

You may not reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the SOFTWARE. Hurst Software Partnership shall retain title and all ownership rights to the SOFTWARE.

4. Copyright

This SOFTWARE is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties.

5. Maintenance

Hurst Software Partnership is not obligated to provide maintenance or updates for the SOFTWARE.  However, any maintenance or updates provided by Hurst Software Partnership shall be covered by this Agreement.

6. Distribution

The SOFTWARE may be freely distributed in the form of the original installation executable provided that it is not modified in any way, that the digital signature remains intact and provided that no fee is charged (except for any reasonable fees necessary to cover costs of distribution media).


Buying LauncherASM

Price

The price of this software is £5.00 (five British pounds).

For reference purposes only, as of the 3rd February 2002, this was equivalent to:

7.08600 US Dollars

8.22519 Euros

11.2710 Canadian Dollars

12.1575 Swiss Francs

Payment

Collection of payments is handled by World Pay on their secure servers. Please visit www.LauncherASM.com/Buy and follow the instructions on screen.

To keep costs (and therefore the price of the software) down, payment will only be accepted over the Internet.


Technical support

FAQ

Your first stop for technical support is www.LauncherASM.com/FAQ.

E-Mail

If the FAQs fail to answer your question, you can email us at support@LauncherASM.com. As an anti-spam measure, emails with the word LauncherASM in the subject will get a more rapid response.

Fax

If you don't have access to e-mail, you can also fax us on +44 7092 279804.


What is a category?

Conceptually

A category is a heading for a set of actions that you carry out on your computer. For example, a category named "Applications" could be used as a heading for the action of starting one of your main applications.

Physically

A category is a data structure stored within LauncherASM connecting an entry in the left hand pane of the LauncherASM dialog to a folder within the file structure of your computer.

How to use categories

In general, a user creates a number of categories that closely match the way they work, and then populates the connected folder with shortcuts to objects that represent the category. For an "Applications" category, these would be shortcuts to your applications. For a "Records" category, they might be shortcuts to spreadsheets or databases.

LauncherASM can also be used to access file types other than shortcuts. Whilst generally less flexible, this is advantageous in some circumstances. For example, a user may connect a category to their desktop folder for quick and easy access to files placed on their desktop.

Finally, it is possible to create hierarchies within categories by creating sub-folders under the connected folder. This can be very useful in setting up a logical structure for your tasks.


Entering and leaving "Category Configuration" mode

"Category Configuration" mode

The LauncherASM dialog normally consists of two panes, the left hand pane containing a list of category titles and the right hand pane containing the entries representing that category. To enable management of categories, LauncherASM can be switched to "Category Configuration" mode. In this mode the left hand pane remains the same, but the right hand pane is replaced with a set of buttons giving access to editing functions.

Entering "Category Configuration" mode

either: double click anywhere in the left hand pane

or: select Configure|Categories from the menu bar

Returning to "Normal" mode

either: Click the Hide Buttons button

or: Press Alt-I

or: Close the dialog in one of the normal ways. When you next open it, it will be in "Normal" mode


Adding Categories

Opening the "Add/Edit category" dialog

1. Enter "Category Configuration" mode

2. Either click the Add button or press Alt-A

3. The "Add/Edit category" dialog will appear

Adding a category in a default location

Do this under most circumstances.

1. Type the name of the category (max 24 characters) into the Category field of the "Add/Edit category" dialog and click OK

2. The category will appear in the left hand pane. The folder connected to the category is created below the folder containing the LauncherASM files.

Adding a category and manually specifying a connected folder

Do this if you want to attach an existing folder to a LauncherASM category. For example, when first running LauncherASM, many people find it useful to attach a category to the folder representing their desktop.

1. Type the name of the category (max 24 characters) into the Category field of the "Add/Edit category" dialog

2. Click the radio button next to the greyed out Path field

3. Either type the path into the field next to the radio button or click Browse and navigate to the folder you wish to connect to. If the path is not fully qualified (i.e. it does not begin with a drive letter), the path will be resolved relative to the applications's installation directory

4. Click OK


Editing Categories

1. Enter "Category Configuration" mode

2. Select the category you want to edit

3. Click Edit or press Alt-E

4. The "Add/Edit category" dialog opens with the current name in the Category field and the current path in the Path field

5. Edit the name and path as required, then click OK


Deleting Categories

1. Enter "Category Configuration" mode

2. Select the category you want to delete

3. Click Remove or press Alt-R

4. The category will be deleted. Note that the folder that the category was connected to is not deleted by this action.


Changing Category Order

Changing the order of categories

1. Enter "Category Configuration" mode

2. Select the category you want to move

3. To move the category up the list, click Move Up or press Alt-U.

4. To move the category down the list, click Move Down or press Alt-D


Changing the width of the categories pane

The widths of the two panes in the LauncherASM dialog are calculated as ratios of the width of the main window. Therefore, to increase the width of both panes, simply increase the width of the main window using the standard Windows® techniques. To change the ratio of the widths of the panes, enter "Category Configuration" mode, and use the two buttons marked << and >>.


What is an entry?

Conceptually

An entry is a task that a user may wish to carry out. For example selecting an entry may launch an application or open a document.

Physically

An entry is simply a file within a folder.

How to use entries

LauncherASM supports all file types that are supported by the Windows® shell, but in general the most useful file types for entries are those that actually reference other files (in Windows® terminology, shortcuts (.lnk), internet shortcuts (.url) and program information files (.pif) - see What are shortcuts?).

The action that occurs when an entry is clicked is the same action as would occur if the file that the entry represents is double clicked in Windows® Explorer.


What are shortcuts?

Definition

A shortcut is a file containing a data structure recording information used to access another object in the shell's namespace. Objects that may be referenced include files (applications, documents etc.), folders, URLs, disk drives and printers.

Why are shortcuts so useful?

When most applications are installed, files are placed in specific locations within the computer's file system and those locations are recorded in a central database known as the system registry. Moving or renaming any of the installed files will almost certainly prevent the application from functioning correctly. Similarly, documents are generally named and filed in a logical manner and moving and renaming files will lead to confusion.

Shortcuts to those documents and applications, however, can be moved and renamed at will. They can also be copied or deleted with no adverse effects on the object that they reference. Activating a shortcut will have the same result as activating the object that it references (with a certain amount of customisation available as an added bonus).

This makes shortcuts an extremely effective way of quickly carrying out tasks that would otherwise require time consuming navigation through the file system. Microsoft® have used shortcuts extensively for this purpose. Applications include shortcuts placed on the desktop, in the start menu and in QuickLaunch bars to name but a few.

Using shortcuts as entries

LauncherASM uses the concepts of "categories" to give rapid access to the contents of specific folders. Placing shortcuts in these folders allows tasks (represented by files scattered throughout the computer's file system) to be arranged logically so as to closely  match the way you work.


Configuring entries

Configuring an entry list

Configuring the entry list is essentially a process of manipulating files within a folder. LauncherASM uses Windows® Explorer for this purpose. To open a Windows® Explorer window containing the entry list:

1. Click the "Rocket" icon in the system tray.

2. Navigate to the category or sub-category containing the list you wish to modify.

2. either: double click a blank area in the right hand pane

   or: select Configure|Entries from the LauncherASM menu bar

You should now have a Windows® Explorer window containing all entries in the list, and can use all the standard Windows® Explorer methods to configure it. A limited number of the most useful methods for manipulating entries for LauncherASM are described below. Since Windows® Explorer varies significantly in operation depending on the version of the operating system and any configuration that has been applied, a certain amount of interpretation of the instructions may be necessary. Please refer to your main Windows® help system for a more exhaustive discussion of Windows® Explorer.

Adding shortcuts

Generally, the most useful object type to have in an entry list is a shortcut (see What are shortcuts?).

Copying an existing shortcut

To add a copy of a shortcut that already exists on your system (e.g. in your recent documents folder):

1. Use Windows® Explorer to navigate to the shortcut

2. Right click the shortcut and choose copy from the context menu that appears

3. Open a Windows® Explorer window for your entry list (see "Configuring Entries" above)

4. In this window, right click a blank area, then choose paste from the context menu that appears

Creating a shortcut to an existing object

To add a shortcut to an existing object (e.g. a document that you are currently working on):

1. Use Windows® Explorer to navigate to the object

2. Right click the object and choose copy from the context menu that appears

3. Open a Windows® Explorer window for your entry list (see "Configuring Entries" above)

4. In this window, right click a blank area, then choose paste shortcut from the context menu that appears

5. To rename the entry (e.g. to remove the phrase "Shortcut to" from the beginning of the name), right click the entry and choose Rename from the context menu that appears, then edit the name as desired

Creating a shortcut to a URL

To create a new shortcut to a URL:

1. Open a Windows® Explorer window for your entry list (see "Configuring Entries" above)

2. In this window, right click a blank area and select New|Shortcut from the context menu that appears

3. In the wizard that appears, type the URL as the location (e.g. "http://www.launcherasm.com") and give it a name

note: pre-existing internet shortcuts can be copied from your favorites folder

Adding other file types

LauncherASM can launch all file types that are recognised by Windows® Explorer. To add a file to an entry list either save it to or copy it to the folder connected to a LauncherASM category or sub-category. To open a Windows® Explorer window for a category or sub-category, see "Configuring Entries" above.


Changing the width of the entries pane

The widths of the two panes in the LauncherASM dialog are calculated as ratios of the width of the main window. Therefore, to increase the width of both panes, simply increase the width of the main window using the standard Windows® techniques. To change the ratio of the widths of the panes, enter "Category Configuration" mode, and use the two buttons marked << and >>.


What are sub-categories

Conceptually

A sub-category is a category that is shown in the entry list of another category. This allows a hierarchy of entries to be set up.

Physically

A sub-category is a sub-folder within the folder represented by another category or sub-category

Using sub-categories

A sub-category appears alphabetically within the entry list of its parent category, and is represented by a small black arrow pointing right. Clicking on the sub-category entry changes the right hand pane to show the entry-list for the sub-category.


Creating sub-categories

To create a sub-category:

1. Click the "Rocket" icon in the system tray

2. Navigate to the category or sub-category that you wish to place the sub-category within

3. either: double click a blank area in the right hand pane

   or: select Configure|Entries from the LauncherASM menu bar

4. A Windows® Explorer window will open displaying the entry list for the category or sub-category

5. Right click in a blank area of this window, and choose New|Folder from the context menu that appears

6. A folder named "New Folder" is created, and its name is highlighted ready for editing

7. Rename the folder by typing the sub-category name


Keyboard shortcuts

System wide

To display the LauncherASM dialog at any time:	Windows® key+space

With LauncherASM dialog displayed

Entries

To launch the selected entry:	Return or Right cursor key

To select an entry directly:	First letter of name

To select next entry in list:	Down cursor key

To select previous entry in list:	Up cursor key

Categories

To select a category directly:	Number key corresponding to icon

To select next category:	Space bar

Sub-categories

To display sub-category:	Return or Right cursor key

To move to parent category:	Left cursor key or Backspace


Limitations

Maximum top level categories:	9

(this is due to the way the direct category selection keyboard interface is designed)

Maximum characters in top level category name:	24

Maximum total entry filename characters:	1024

(this will generally equate to over 50 entries per category or sub-category)

Note:

These limitations are designed to minimise use of system resources and maximise ease of use. If you find them overly restrictive, please let us know (see Feedback).


Uninstalling LauncherASM

LauncherASM is designed as a non-invasive utility. To uninstall:

1. Find the directory that you installed LauncherASM into (c:\Program Files\LauncherASM by default) and delete it and all its contents.

2. If you requested one of them, delete the shortcut to LauncherASM in the StartUp sub-menu of your start menu or on your desktop.

There will now be no trace of LauncherASM on your system.


Feedback

Contact us

LauncherASM is an ongoing project. We are very interested in your comments and suggestions. Please visit www.launcherasm.com/contact and follow the instructions on screen.

Privacy policy

If you explicitly request it, we will keep a record of your e-mail address for the sole purpose of sending you information pertaining to LauncherASM. We will not, under any circumstances pass this information to anyone else for any purpose whatsoever.

Future development

If there is sufficient interest in this utility, it is our intention to develop the product along a number of lines:

Further research into resource impact reduction

The LauncherASM code is 100% written in size optimised assembly language. This allows LauncherASM to be a stand-alone 24kb executable. It also does not dynamically allocate any memory for data - it keeps its data within that 24kb.

Like all applications, however, LauncherASM makes many calls to the operating system. It is far more difficult to control the resource usage resulting from these calls than it is to control resources used by your own code since these calls are effectively "black box" functions. To further reduce resource usage requires experimentation and access to details of the operating system beyond that available from standard documentation. It is our intention to carry out this work.

UNICODE version

The Windows® lineage starting with Windows® 95 and ending in Windows® ME uses 8 bits to represent a character internally. The lineage based around Windows® NT which is now being taken forward as Windows® XP uses 16 bits. To allow single applications to run on both, Windows® NT includes a set of compatibility functions that take a Windows® 95 style function call and translate it to a Windows® NT style one. This, however, comes at significant cost in terms of resources and efficiency. It is our intention to produce a native NT version.

XP version

LauncherASM is designed to run on just about all 32 bit versions of Windows®. This causes it to look a bit dated under Windows® XP, as it does not make use of any of the XP "eye candy" features. It is our intention to modify the native NT version to use the new features when XP becomes more established.

Additional features

LauncherASM was originally designed to be 20kb, the smallest size that an application containing data and resource sections can be. It nudged over this limit due to usability issues, and this has led to an extra code section that is only just encroached on. What this means is that more than 3kb of code can be added to LauncherASM without increasing its file size or memory footprint. If there is a feature that you feel is desperately needed, please let us know by visiting www.launcherasm.com/contact.